Healthy habits at school and home
Students learn the basics of taking care of their bodies. That means washing hands, brushing teeth, eating a mix of foods, getting enough sleep, and staying active during the day.
What does a student learn in
These are the years students learn that small daily choices add up to feeling good. Students name healthy habits like washing hands, eating a range of foods, and getting enough sleep, and they figure out who to ask for help when something hurts or feels wrong. They practice saying no, asking questions, and setting a simple goal like drinking more water. By spring, students can talk through a choice out loud and explain why it keeps them safe.
- Healthy habits
- Asking for help
- Safety rules
- Feelings and friendships
- Making good choices
- Setting a goal
Year at a glance
How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.
- 1
- 2
Safe bodies and trusted adults
Students practice safety rules at home, at school, and outside. They learn who counts as a trusted adult and how to ask for help when something feels wrong or someone is hurt.
- 3
Feelings and getting along
Students put words to their feelings and notice how others feel. They practice kind ways to talk, listen, take turns, and work out small problems with friends and family.
- 4
Choices and small goals
Students start to see that their choices shape how they feel. They practice thinking before acting, picking a healthy option, and setting a small goal like drinking more water or trying a new food.
- 5
Speaking up for health
Students learn that they can help themselves and the people around them. They practice sharing what they know about staying healthy and encouraging classmates to do the same.
Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 1.
Health Education
Health Education
- Grades K-2
Use functional knowledge of health concepts to support health and well-being of…
Students learn basic health facts, like how germs spread or why sleep matters, and use that knowledge to make simple choices that help themselves and the people around them.
- Grades K-2
Analyze influences that affect health and well-being of self and others
Students look at why people make the health choices they do, like how friends, family, or ads can push someone toward a good or a bad habit.
- Grades K-2
Access valid and reliable resources to support health and well-being of self…
Students learn to find trustworthy sources of health information, like a doctor, a school nurse, or a parent, and practice using those sources to get help for themselves or someone else.
- Grades K-2
Use interpersonal communication skills to support health and well-being of self…
Students practice saying how they feel, asking for help, and listening when someone else needs support. These everyday conversation skills help them stay healthy and treat the people around them well.
- Grades K-2
Use a decision-making process to support health and well-being of self and…
Students practice simple steps for making choices, like deciding what to eat or how to handle a disagreement, by thinking through what will help them and the people around them stay safe and well.
- Grades K-2
Use a goal-setting process to support health and well-being of self and others
Students practice setting a simple health goal, like drinking more water or getting to bed on time, and make a plan to follow through on it.
- Grades K-2
Demonstrate practices and behaviors to support health and well-being of self…
Students practice habits that keep themselves and the people around them healthy, like washing hands, getting enough sleep, and being kind to others.
- Grades K-2
Advocate to promote health and well-being of self and others
Students practice speaking up for healthy choices, like asking for a snack break or reminding a friend to wash their hands. They learn that one person encouraging others can make the whole class healthier.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Use functional knowledge of health concepts to support health and well-being of… Grades K-2 | Students learn basic health facts, like how germs spread or why sleep matters, and use that knowledge to make simple choices that help themselves and the people around them. | TX-HE.1.k-2 |
| Analyze influences that affect health and well-being of self and others Grades K-2 | Students look at why people make the health choices they do, like how friends, family, or ads can push someone toward a good or a bad habit. | TX-HE.2.k-2 |
| Access valid and reliable resources to support health and well-being of self… Grades K-2 | Students learn to find trustworthy sources of health information, like a doctor, a school nurse, or a parent, and practice using those sources to get help for themselves or someone else. | TX-HE.3.k-2 |
| Use interpersonal communication skills to support health and well-being of self… Grades K-2 | Students practice saying how they feel, asking for help, and listening when someone else needs support. These everyday conversation skills help them stay healthy and treat the people around them well. | TX-HE.4.k-2 |
| Use a decision-making process to support health and well-being of self and… Grades K-2 | Students practice simple steps for making choices, like deciding what to eat or how to handle a disagreement, by thinking through what will help them and the people around them stay safe and well. | TX-HE.5.k-2 |
| Use a goal-setting process to support health and well-being of self and others Grades K-2 | Students practice setting a simple health goal, like drinking more water or getting to bed on time, and make a plan to follow through on it. | TX-HE.6.k-2 |
| Demonstrate practices and behaviors to support health and well-being of self… Grades K-2 | Students practice habits that keep themselves and the people around them healthy, like washing hands, getting enough sleep, and being kind to others. | TX-HE.7.k-2 |
| Advocate to promote health and well-being of self and others Grades K-2 | Students practice speaking up for healthy choices, like asking for a snack break or reminding a friend to wash their hands. They learn that one person encouraging others can make the whole class healthier. | TX-HE.8.k-2 |
Common Questions
What does health class look like in these early grades?
Students learn basic habits that keep bodies and feelings healthy. That means handwashing, brushing teeth, eating a mix of foods, sleeping enough, and knowing how to ask a trusted adult for help. Most lessons are short, hands-on, and tied to the routines students already do at home and at school.
How can families practice health habits at home?
Build five-minute routines into the day. Wash hands before meals, brush teeth twice a day, and talk briefly at dinner about one healthy choice from the day. Small repeated habits stick better than long lectures.
What should a student be able to do by the end of these grades?
Students should name body parts, describe healthy foods, wash hands correctly, and explain a simple rule for staying safe. They should also know which adults to go to for help and how to ask. Expect short answers, not essays.
How do I help when a student struggles to talk about feelings?
Give feelings simple names: tired, frustrated, worried, proud. Use picture books and everyday moments to label what a character or family member might feel. Practice short sentences like "I feel sad when..." so students have words ready when they need them.
How should health be sequenced across the year?
Start with personal habits like hygiene, sleep, and food, since these connect to daily routines. Move into safety and how to ask for help, then build into feelings, friendships, and simple decision-making. Save goal-setting and speaking up for others until students are comfortable with the earlier habits.
Which topics usually need the most reteaching?
Decision-making and goal-setting take the longest, because students are still learning to think through choices. Plan to revisit these in short bursts across the year using real classroom moments, not one-off lessons. Hygiene and safety rules stick faster with daily practice.
How do I teach students to find trustworthy health information at this age?
Focus on people, not websites. Teach students to name a few trusted adults at home and at school, and to ask questions when something feels confusing or unsafe. Role-play short conversations so asking for help becomes a habit.
How do I know a student is ready for the next grade in health?
Students should handle hygiene routines on their own, name basic feelings, and describe a healthy choice and an unhealthy one. They should also know who to go to for help and be willing to do it. Comfort matters as much as content here.